France Excellence EIFFEL Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in France
Applications for the France Excellence EIFFEL Fellowship 2026 are officially open, offering a prestigious and fully funded study opportunity in France for outstanding international students. Managed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), the EIFFEL Scholarship Program supports talented individuals pursuing Master’s (Master) and Doctoral (PhD) studies at recognized French Universities and Higher Education Institutions.
The program is specifically designed to help French academic institutions attract highly qualified international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and leadership potential. Through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, France aims to nurture the next generation of global leaders in both the public and private sectors across key strategic fields.
Program Objective
The Eiffel Fellowship Program was established to:
- Strengthen France’s higher education appeal among the world’s brightest students
- Develop future decision-makers in important disciplines
- Promote academic cooperation and international talent mobility
- Support research initiatives driven by innovative global scholars
The scholarship encourages applications from international students:
- 29 years old or younger for Master’s level
- 35 years old or younger for Doctoral/PhD level
This age eligibility ensures inclusiveness while targeting early-career professionals and researchers.
France Excellence EIFFEL 2026 Session — Important Dates
Please note that students do not apply individually to Campus France. Instead, applications are submitted only by French higher education institutions on behalf of the student. Applicants must contact their prospective French university to confirm internal deadlines.
- Application period opens: October 1, 2025
- Webinar for institutions: Mid-October 2025
- Deadline for institutions to submit applications to Campus France: January 8, 2026
- Announcement of results: From March 30, 2026 (Email notification to applicants & institutions)
Students should begin communication with French universities well before the institutional deadline.
Guidelines & Regulations – Eiffel 2026
To assist institutions and applicants, Campus France provides complete documentation, including:
- Eiffel Program Application Guide – 2026 Session (Step-by-step instructions for submitting and validating applications)
- Eiffel Scholarship Regulations – 2026 Session (Eligibility rules, evaluation criteria, funding coverage, and duration)
These documents outline everything needed to prepare a strong and successful nomination.
Who Selects the Eiffel Scholarship Recipients?
Selection for the Eiffel Excellence Program is highly competitive. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs appoints a committee of accredited research professors (HDR holders) with recognized international expertise.
Key selection highlights:
- Experts serve on the selection panel for a single non-renewable four-year term
- Each application undergoes a rigorous assessment based on standardized evaluation grids
- Universities nominate candidates, and only the best profiles are chosen
Evaluation criteria apply separately for:
- Master’s Track: Academic excellence, professional goals, relevance of studies
- Doctoral Track: Research excellence, innovation, feasibility, and supervision quality
Access to the detailed assessment grid is available for institutions preparing candidate files.
Who Can Apply?
Only French Higher Education Institutions are permitted to submit applications to Campus France.
Students cannot apply directly to the Eiffel Program.
For French institutions that have already participated
They will receive a direct email with login access to application files.
If the email does not arrive, they should contact Campus France immediately.
For first-time participating institutions
Universities must reach out to Campus France to request access credentials and application materials.
For international students
If you are a student seeking to apply:
1. Identify and contact your target French institution
2. Inform them of your interest in being nominated for Eiffel Scholarship 2026
3. Submit all required academic documents before the university’s internal deadline
Campus France also provides additional information links for student guidance.
Fields of Study Covered Under Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Priority academic disciplines may vary annually, but generally include:
- Engineering Sciences
- Exact & Natural Sciences
- Mathematics & Physics
- Environmental Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Law & Political Sciences
- Economics & Management
- Information & Communication Technologies
These fields align with France’s strategic international development goals.
Benefits
While benefits may vary slightly by academic level, Eiffel Fellows typically receive:
- Full tuition sponsorship by host university
- Monthly stipend (Master & PhD rates differ)
- International airfare (round-trip)
- Health insurance coverage
- Cultural programs and French language training
- Support for housing and living expenses
- Funding for research mobility and academic activities (for PhD candidates)
This financial support allows selected scholars to focus entirely on their studies and research ambitions in France.
Why Choose the France Excellence EIFFEL Fellowship?
Studying in France through this prestigious government program offers numerous advantages:
- Opportunity to study at top-ranked French institutions
- State-sponsored financial security throughout the degree program
- Global recognition of the Eiffel brand and French academic excellence
- Strong networking opportunities with researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers
- Immersive cultural and linguistic experience in one of the most influential countries in Europe
Eiffel alumni benefit from a powerful professional network and strong career prospects worldwide.
Application Tip for Students
Since institutions control nominations, prospective applicants should:
• Start contacting departments at least 3–6 months before the Campus France deadline
• Prepare a compelling academic & professional profile aligned with France’s strategic fields
• Demonstrate strong motivation and leadership potential in their application package
A well-coordinated effort with your target institution significantly increases the chances of receiving a nomination.
Learn More
Students and institutions can find full program details, including eligibility, nomination steps, and documents, on the official Campus France scholarship page:
Campus France – France Excellence EIFFEL Program
(Official program portal with updates and downloadable guidelines)
The France Excellence EIFFEL Fellowship 2026 remains one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships for international students. With full financial support, a rich academic atmosphere, and world-class universities, it is an exceptional pathway to gaining advanced qualifications and global career opportunities in France.
If you dream of studying in Europe with a fully funded scholarship, now is the perfect time to prepare and connect with a French institution for the Eiffel nomination process.